Join us for the Women In Farming Autumn Gathering as we go ‘Beyond the Farm Table’.
We are proud to present the 12th edition of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s Women In Farming Network flagship annual event, which will be held at Lodge Farm, Cundall near York on Tuesday 14 October 2025, 10am-3pm.
The Autumn Gathering is open to all who live and work in the countryside and rural industries, across the county and beyond, and is kindly sponsored by Barclays, Savills, HECK Food, the Yorkshire Rural Support Network and the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.
Why this is an occasion not to be missed
The Gathering is a great opportunity to engage with inspiring speakers. We’ll be hearing fascinating stories, including from Yorkshire farmers Helen Stanier and Louise Day, and farmer’s daughter Kathryn Bumby.
There will be lots of time to network with like-minded women, build connections and share ideas as we come together as a supportive community of women in agriculture.
With an optional farm tour to round off the event, we’re giving you a chance to take a good look at the beautiful surroundings at Lodge Farm, including their pumpkin patch and fishing lakes.
Esteemed agricultural journalist – and part of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s Charitable Activities team – Sophie McCandlish will be our Chair for the day, which promises to be packed with inspiration and insight.
Capacity is limited so we would advise booking early to avoid missing out.
Tickets are £25 per person and include refreshments, lunch, networking and an optional farm tour.
Laura Copeland, Coordinator of the Women In Farming Network looks ahead to what’s in store:
Our theme celebrates the conversations, ideas, and ventures that have grown far beyond their beginnings — often sparked around farm tables, in fields, or within our rural communities. It shines a light on the creativity, resilience, and leadership of women who are shaping not just their own futures, but the future of farming and rural enterprise as a whole.
We are delighted to be gathering at Lodge Farm Weddings, Cundall, on Tuesday 14 October 2025, for what promises to be an inspiring day of learning, networking, and sharing stories. With its beautiful countryside setting, Lodge Farm is a fitting venue to reflect the strength and innovation of our rural communities.
The Autumn Gathering is open to all who live and work in the countryside and rural industries, both here in Yorkshire and further afield. We are once again grateful to our generous sponsors — Barclays, Savills, HECK Food, the Yorkshire Rural Support Network and the Yorkshire Agricultural Society — whose support helps make this event possible.
Whether you are deeply rooted in agriculture, exploring new opportunities, or simply curious about the journeys of others, today offers the chance to connect, be inspired, and leave with fresh ideas to carry forward.
Introducing the speakers
Louise Day runs New Sheepfold Farm in North Yorkshire alongside her husband Mark, combining traditional beef and sheep farming, native and rare breeds, with award-winning diversification projects.
From luxury farm-stay accommodation at Incline View Holidays to an innovative vending shop supplying home-reared beef and lamb, Louise has built a business that celebrates local food, rural heritage, and sustainable farming practices.
Passionate about education and sharing the realities of modern farming, diversification and life as a woman in agriculture, Louise welcomes regular school visits to the farm and loves talking directly to customers about where their food comes from.
Their work has been recognised, with accolades including Northern Farmer Diversification Award and multiple finalist places in the British Farming Awards and The Yorkshire Post Rural Awards for Rural Business of the Year.
Louise is a proud advocate for British farming, community connection and the future of rural businesses.
Kathryn Bumby is the founder of premium British pasta outfit, The Yorkshire Pasta Company.
Farmer’s daughter and mum-of-two Kathryn identified a gap in the market for British-made pasta.
Combining authentic traditional techniques learnt in Italy with a planet-friendly ethos, her business creates sustainable award-winning artisan pasta.
Helen Stanier is a fifth-generation farmer at Greyleys Jerseys, situated in the Vale of York.
Helen farms alongside her husband Craig, two young children Alfred and Hattie, and her parents, David and Anne Shaw.
Following a degree in Food and Business Studies and a rewarding career in food retail, Helen returned home to farm 12 years ago and now manages the day-to-day running of approximately 300 acres and 500 pedigree Jerseys near York.
In 2017, she successfully diversified the farm’s milk sales from solely supplying a large local dairy to include processing their own milk for their two local milk vending machines and wholesale milk deliveries to local cafés and restaurants.
In 2025, Greyleys Jersey Milk was awarded First Prize for Channel Island Milk at the Great Yorkshire Show and received a 2-star Great Taste Award in 2022.
Helen is passionate about giving back opportunities to young people in the industry and regularly offers student placements at GCSE to Apprenticeship level. She writes a monthly ‘In Your Field’ column for Farmers Guardian, and sits on the NFU Dairy Board and Jersey Cattle Society Board.
Not sure what to expect?
Read our full report from last year’s Women In Farming Autumn Gathering here
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Grateful thanks to our Autumn Gathering sponsors:
